Having set a brand new milestone within the nation’s dance world by proving its capability of being a competition of a world stage with all the pieces what’s wanted to be a profitable ‘Ocean Dance Competition 2019’, the curtain set to fall on the four-day mega occasion in Cox’s Bazar right this moment.
Whereas the final three days of the competition shocked the viewers with all magical performances introduced by each native and overseas artistes and troupes, the ultimate day of the competition is predicted to be extra action-packed.
The primary performances of the night session on the concluding day embrace ‘Bathroom Pump’ by Weimingpak (Hong Kong), ‘Mine’ by Shammy Akter (Bangladesh), ‘See the Sound’ by Sumedha Bhattacharyya (India), ‘Ultraviolate’ by Shadhona and Nyeem Khan Dance Firm (Bangladesh), ‘Democracy’ by Eashin Arafat (Bangladesh), ‘Thresholds Crossed-Reconfiguration’ by Megan Thompson (USA) and ‘I&Myself’ by Anil Kumar Singh and Mofassal Alif (India and Bangladesh).
The ultimate efficiency of the evening is a dance drama titled ‘Badi Bandar Roopkotha’ by Shrishty Cultural Centre from Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Chapter of World Dance Alliance–Asia Pacific (WDA-AP) has organised the competition, which has been happening from November 22 to 25 at two separate venues in Cox’s Bazar—Mermaid Seaside Resort (morning session) and Cox Carnival (night session).
An thrilling element of the ‘Ocean Dance Competition’ featured a 15-day ‘Choreolab’ by Canadian Irani Sashar Zarif ending with a gala presentation on the opening evening of the competition on November 22.
Award successful multi-disciplinary performing artist, educator and researcher, Sashar Zarif has been touring throughout 40 international locations around the globe and has spent his skilled life selling cultural dialogue by way of intensive fieldworks, residencies, performances, and artistic collaborations. For over twenty years, Zarif has labored tirelessly to keep up the integrity of those nice arts by working inside three interdependent colleges of analysis, creation and schooling.
Sashar Zarif shares his ideas on ‘Ocean Dance Competition 2019’ and Bangladesh’s dance in an unique interview with DhakaLive on the second day of the competition on Saturday. The next are excerpts of the interview:
How do you are feeling to be a part of this competition?
I really feel very lucky to be a part of this competition. By means of this occasion, I’m being uncovered in one other a part of the world. The character is gorgeous right here and it’s nice to be across the locale, additionally it’s a pleasure to fulfill the individuals from completely different components of South Asia. I’ve been travelling for 20 years and researching dance throughout the globe inside individuals, particularly the Islamic societies. Beforehand, I by no means explored South-East Asia till two years in the past. So it’s very attention-grabbing occasion for me, as a result of Bangladesh has a robust tie of Sufism that’s the core of my apply.
An occasion like ‘Ocean Dance Competition’ (ODF) is happening right here for the primary time which could require some enhancements. What’s your commentary?
I feel all the pieces requires enhancements on a regular basis. Even it occurs for the 30th time, it nonetheless wants enchancment. This (ODF) is an initiation, and it’s crucial to be recognised. Additionally, it’s crucial to be identified that it wants plenty of help when one thing like this takes place. A competition like this could obtain sufficient help from all corners.
How dance as an artwork kind contribute to human life?
Life is in regards to the expertise. This expertise is recorded in our physique, thoughts and emotion—in three locations. Sadly, the individuals suppose the historical past and reminiscence are solely within the mind. However the historical past and reminiscence are usually not solely within the mind. It additionally in our emotion and recorded in our physique. The a part of our historical past that recorded in our physique is written in our people dances. If a people dance is misplaced or compromised, it’s precisely like burning or compromising your historical past e book. Folks have to grasp that.
You could have been performing throughout the globe for therefore a few years. If you’re requested to check Bangladesh’s dance with the dance from different components of the world. How would you see this?
Going by way of completely different international locations throughout my inventive apply, I discovered that comparability isn’t the precise method to have a look at the issues. It has plenty of penalties. Truly, we’re struggling due to this undeniable fact that now we have discovered to check issues. We shouldn’t be evaluating issues. I feel that in Bangladesh, dance and music are in everybody’s blood. You simply need to recognise that you’ve got it. You don’t have to look exterior of Bangladesh. You need to cherish what you have already got. However you’ll be able to search for inspiration from others.
What recommendation you will have for the younger dance artistes of Bangladesh?
They need to apply passionately. They need to look inside for inspiration. They need to make investments on what they’ve, and that’s their roots—the custom of people from this land.
EA